North Complex

Oana Iacob is the founder of Cabinet, Bucharest based architecture and design office, with extensive experience on built environment. Oana is board member of the National commission granting the right to practice of OAR and is vice-president of OAR Prahova, being responsible of the strategy of communication, partnerships, institutional branding. She is the founder of “cu a mic” NGO – who discusses architecture as public good – and in the past she founded Republic of Architects. Oana gained experience in sustainability and built heritage and has been recognized for her knowledge on architecture and design, her projects being published and awarded.

Designed by architect Daniel Guj, the shopping complex was built between 1964 and 1971, along with the entire surrounding neighborhood. It is a landmark for the local public as a recent commercial point with special architecture, inspired by socialist modernism. What happened to the building is that the economic system changed from communism to capitalism. The complex was at some point sold / rented by the State to an entrepreneur. They divided it into smaller and smaller spaces to rent to as many people as possible. The interest of the contractor is minimal for the well-being of the building, that's because those who rent come - and leave - with everything. From the signage on the façade, the tiles on the floor covering the old mosaic, the plasterboard covering the grass to the air conditioner. This is how this valuable heritage dies because it cannot be intervened in a unified way. The only saving grace is that the next owner has more interest in saving the building.